Home of the Handicapper's Champion

Hollywood for Sunday 5 Dec 2010

Sure hope we can get a few races where our pick fouls and still stays up for the win. Way too much power to the Stewards deciding if a horse would have won or not when he was obviously impeded. If Cal racing sticks with this why not let all fouls stand and fine the jockeys afterward and redistribute the purse money. No way jockeys would get too reckless as it is too dangeous out on the track as it is. I still can't believe they thought that the John Shirreff's horse on Friday didn't have a good opportunity to win if he wasn't taken out in the stretch. Horrid horrid call. Bad bad policy. And by the way, I'm serious about all of racing should go with the race as it stands and take care of the matter later. I love thoroughbred racing and I have defended the Stewards most of my life for making the right call a majority of the time but this new policy has opened a can of worms that has made many folks nation wide unhappy. I am one of them. Good card. Good luck.

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race 1 average clarity

4 Nikki's Curfew seems to set nicely for her closing style with plenty of pace that has weak staying power

2 Meadow Lake Queen hidden move forward in last pressing the issue on a suspect inside and rightfully tiring late

1 Sally's Blade similar as our 2nd pick....loose with decent pace on a slightly dull inside

3 Truckee Trust small move forward in 2nd lifetime start.....works since seem to be her best ever....believe will improve again

race 2 average clarity

8 No Afillyation positive jock change......owns good early speed and is bred to handle the sod....can be prominent from the get go and only has 5F to run

1 Lula Talullah hot outfit especially when they use Bejarano....1ster is working like he is meant and ready....fun name

4 Candid Ride bad block in last or much closer at the wire and it was a fast heat....bred fine for the sod

2 Free Range some life in 2 races run last Summer when the trainer was kind of cold.....not cold now....good enough turf breeding

race 3 average clarity

1 Free Pourin one lifetime effort was poor except for showing some solid early pace....works since (for 2 + months) are eye popping even fort a hard worker like the Baff man

4 Grip Hands big bucks 1ster is trainer like all set to roll....Dollase sure has been getting it done this Fall

3 Red Sharp Humor 2 of his 3 lifetime efforts his 1st and 3rd outs are better that par efforts considering the troubles trips he had...hidden on paper

6 Bad Boy red hot Miller barn just claimed a very consistent animal who might be at his very best on the Hollywood synthetic

9 Self Insured 4 claims in 8 races and yet to win for his new barn......Cavara gets his chance this time....horse has adjusted figs that fit but few "real" figs that do....very few smooth trips

8 Destinys Roar had some back numbers that fit fine at today's level and might be feeling good 2nd out after the layoff...does have to prove he can run on the AW

race 5 above average clarity

4 Amazombie all 3 lifetime sprints at Hol at 6F are par then better on Top Turf Today...should sit in a great chase position in a race that lacks speed

1 Sirocco Strike impressive improvement 1st run for Koriner.....10 post to 1 post.....has enough speed to sit 3rd or 4th in a race you seemingly want to be close up...right to improve 2nd out after the layoff

3 El Scorpio 2 for 2 with today's top jock up.....great chance to be loose.....can hold off the charge if allowed to slow it down too much

race 6 average clarity

9 Scorsese plenty of pace to close into for this late runner....positive rider switch.....barn is decent with drop downs

10 Cynical Wager solid move forward 2nd out after the layoff and well placed to win....needs to avoid getting caught wide in a speed duel

1 Ribald long long layoff so drop makes sense to me....mid pack runner has pace up front that should help his cause

5 Cork Creek trainer has yet to hit the board in 2010 but this closer who gets pace to fire into is training like he is all set to roll second out after the layoff

race 7 average clarity

5 Torrey Cliffs has always shown ability on the grass and I believe Mitchell will get the most out of this filly...he did 1st after the claim in last snatching a nice 3rd

6 Siberian Heart overwhelming stat here....Stute is 4 out of his last 5 in the win column back in 5 days or less.....back in 4 today

4 Spanish Bunny best ever was only time Rosario rode and was in lone race at today's distance

8 Tiz Smoke Tiz Fire good horse difficult post

race 8 average clarity

7 Washington Bridge we liked this gal last time out as our top pick at 5 to 1 and she didn't disappoint with another move forward to win....that race fits at today's lofty level and she gets 2 lbs off and retains Bejarano

3 Zardana training great and won this Grade 2 last year

8 Lady Railrider very very consistent runner once again draws the outer-most post...needs a more clever ride then last....lookout if she gets it

race 9 average clarity

1 Cocktails At Seven Proctor is one of the best trainers in the Country with 1st timers on the turf and is gal is bred nicely for the lawn and is training sharply....and....only mount of the day for Gomez

3 Alokee decent grass breeding.....hasn't missed a beat in the morning for a prolonged period of time....ready for MSW debut

4 Toscanova small barn has been hot of late.....filly 1st timer has outstanding grass breeding and sure is training sharply at Slr

7 Rachel Jones Koriner is in a "go mode" right now and this filly adds the blinkers and is training like a much improved horse....good turf breeding as well

9 Miss I Carly like the breeding especially for a turf sprint and the works...don't like the post and the bad % on the grass for the named jockey